HRT is a case of your mileage may vary. It will have effects of many levels, physical and emotional. Depending on the medicine used, the delivery method used (oral, patch, gel, injection, implant) and your genetic set up you may have a quick response or slower, it may improve your mood or it may make things bumpier - -a lot depends on what you take in with you at the starting point. I've been on it 18 months and it has been great, not a single regret (except that sooner would have been better!).
HRT does not "turn you into a genetic woman" it does not help you "look like a genetic woman", there are many aspects of a masculinised body that it cannot alter, but it will significantly feminise your body over time (breasts, reduced body hair, thickening of head hair providing it's not too thin already, softer skin, change of fat deposits and loss of muscle mass, etc). HRT is not the only part of transition but it is still quite significant. It won't get rid of your bears, it won't make your voice higher, won't make your hips grow, it won't change the size of your hands, feet, nose, etc.. So weigh your expectations accordingly.
